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Prague International Chess Festival 2024: Ediz Gurel clinches Challengers, becomes youngest GM of Turkiye

08/03/2024 -

Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) had already won 6th Prague International Chess Festival 2024 Masters on the previous day. In the final round, he drew against Richard Rapport (ROU) comfortably to finish a staggering 1.5 points ahead of the competition with a 2873 performance. Czech Republic no.2 made a fantastic comeback scoring 5/7 in his last seven games after starting the event with two losses. Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) and R Praggnanandhaa also scored 5/9. However, Thai Dai Van secured second place according to the tie-breaks, Parham third and Praggnanandhaa fourth. A day after becoming Turkiye's 15th overall and youngest GM, Ediz Gurel defeated Anton Korobov (UKR) in the final round to win the Challengers section. He will play the Masters in the seventh edition. Photos: Amruta Mokal

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Diptayan Ghosh becomes National Rapid 2024 Champion

07/03/2024 -

GM Diptayan Ghosh (RSPB) scored an unbeaten 9/11 to win National Rapid Championship 2024. He finished a half point ahead of the competition. Eight players - IM Aronyak Ghosh (RSPB), GM Raja Rithvik R (TEL), IM Arghyadip Das (RSPB), IM Srihari L R (TN), FM Suyog Wagh (MAH), IM Sammed Jaykumar Shete (MAH), IM Ayush Sharma (MP) and IM Aradhya Garg (DEL) scored 8.5/11 each. They secured second to ninth place according to tie-breaks. Suyog is the sole non IM/GM finisher among top ten. Nithin Babu (KER) is the highest untitled finisher at 15th place scoring 8/11. National Blitz Championship 2024 will take place today. Blitz Round 1 starts at 9 a.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

Nodirbek Abdusattorov clinches Prague Masters 2024 with a round to spare, now World no.4

07/03/2024 -

Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) defeated Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) to win 6th Prague International Chess Festival 2024 Masters. It was certainly not an easy win for the champion. He sacrificed his queen for a rook and knight. Then he had to navigate through a difficult endgame to earn the full point. This win also ensured, the former World Rapid champion move up to World no.4 in the live ratings. D Gukesh won against Vincent Keymer (GER). Aansh Nandan Nerurkar won the Futures section. He will play in the Challengers section at the next edition. IM Ediz Gurel drew against GM Erwin L'ami (NED) to secure his final GM-norm and become the latest Grandmaster of Turkey. Round 9 for Masters, Challengers and Futures start today at 11 a.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Prague International Chess Festival

Xiangzhi, Yangyi or Arjun - Who will win 5th Shenzhen Masters 2024?

06/03/2024 -

Arjun Erigaisi drew his sixth round game against Vladislav Artemiev at 5th Shenzhen Masters 2024. The remaining two leaders - Xiangzhi Bu (CHN) and Yangyi Yu (CHN) drew their game against each other. Xiangyu Xu (CHN) scored his first win of the event against Daniil Dubov. This was the first time former World Rapid champion suffered a loss at this event. Arjun must beat Dubov in the final round to have a chance of a first place finish. Xiangzhi and Yangyi have better tie-breaks which means Arjun's win may not prove to be enough as he needs two more results to go in his way. Round 7 starts tomorrow at 2 p.m. local time, 11:30 a.m. IST. Photos: Organizer/Liang Ziming

Karthik Rajaa wins 1st Nallu Memorial Rapid Rating Open 2024

06/03/2024 -

FM Karthik Rajaa and Vignesh B scored 8/9 each at 1st Nallu Memorial Rapid Rating Open 2024. Karthik won the tournament due to better tie-breaks, Vignesh was placed second. Six players - GM Laxman R R, GM Akash G, IM Harshavardhan G B, Vengatesh Krishnan C, Dinesh Kumar Jaganathan and IM Avinash Ramesh scored 7.5/9 each. They were placed third to eighth respectively according to tie-breaks. Karthik suffered his sole loss against the eventual second runner-up, Laxman. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹33000 + trophy, ₹20000 and ₹10000 each respectively. The one-day rapid rating tournament was organized by Gold Medal Chess Foundation on 11th February 2024 at VOC Vidiyalayaa in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This was Karthik's second rating tournament triumph in 2024. Photos: Gold Medal Chess Foundation

National Rapid 2024 R5-8: Diptayan and Raja Rithvik are the coleaders

06/03/2024 -

GM Diptayan Ghosh (RSPB) and GM Raja Rithvik R (TEL) are the coleaders after the eighth round of National Rapid Championship 2024. Both of them conceded two draws. They will inevitably face each other in the ninth round. Eight players are trailing by a half point at 6.5/8 each. FM Suyog Wagh (MAH) is the sole non IM/GM among them. Despite starting the day with a loss, he won the next three games in-a-row, including wins over GM Karthik Venkataraman (AP) and WGM Priyanka Nutakki (AP). Priyanka is the highest scorer among women at 5.5/8. Who will become the new National Rapid champion? Round 9 starts today at 11 a.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

Prague Masters 2024 R7: Gukesh escapes against Praggnanandhaa

06/03/2024 -

D Gukesh made a great escape against R Praggnanandhaa in the seventh round of Prague International Chess Festival 2024 Masters. Praggnanandhaa had a decisive advantage in the queen and rook endgame. However, he misplayed and Gukesh managed to seize his opportunity and escape with a draw. It was not easy for him as he had to show correct defensive technique in the rook and two split passed pawns' endgame. Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) bounced back with a victory over Vincent Keymer (UZB). Once again he is back at World no.5 in the live ratings. Czech Republic no.2 Thai Dai Van Nguyen scored his second win in-a-row against Richard Rapport (ROU). Round 8 for Masters, Challengers and Futures start today at 3 p.m. local time, 7:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Petr Vrabec/Prague International Chess Festival

5th Shenzhen Masters 2024 R5: Four draws

05/03/2024 -

Arjun Erigaisi drew his fifth round game against Yangyi Yu (CHN) at 5th Shenzhen Masters 2024. It lasted 25 moves. The remaining three games also ended in draws. Three out of four games of Round 5 ended in 31 moves or less. The only game which went on for 43 moves was between Qun Ma (CHN) and Xiangzhi Bu (CHN). Qun had an opportunity to score his first win of the event and also hand his opponent Xiangzhi, his first loss. However, he missed seizing his opportunity in the middlegame and later in the endgame, he found a smaller one. Round 6 starts tomorrow at 2 p.m. local time, 11:30 a.m. IST. Photos: Organizer/Liang Ziming

National Rapid 2024 R1-4: Seven players make a perfect start 4/4

05/03/2024 -

GM Mitrabha Guha (WB) was held to a draw by Aditya Bartakke (MAH) in the very first round of National Rapid Chess Championship 2024. The young boy from Maharashtra had a few opportunities, however, he could not convert them into a full point against the newly crowned Commonwealth Open 2023-24 champion. Seven players - IM Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh (MAH), GM Diptayan Ghosh (RSPB), IM Aronyak Ghosh (RSPB), IM Hari Madhavan N B (TN), GM Raja Rithvik R (TEL), IM Ravi Teja S (AP) and IM Ratnakaran K (RSPB) are at 100% score 4/4. WGM Priyanka Nutakki and WGM Swati Ghate are the highest scoring women currently at 3/4 each. Will we see a sole leader after the end of Round 8? Round 5 starts today at 10 a.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

Prague Masters 2024 R6: Praggnanandhaa beats Abdusattorov, reduces the gap

05/03/2024 -

R Praggnanandhaa defeated the sole leader Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) in the sixth round of Prague International Chess Festival 2024 Masters. Praggnanandhaa made the most out of his opportunity when his opponent made a tactical error before the first time control. Speaking of blunders, Vidit Gujrathi blundered in a winning position against the Germany no.1, Vincent Keymer. His mistake also occurred before move no.40. D Gukesh played peculiar chess to lose against Mateusz Bartel (POL). In the Futures, Aansh Nandan Nerurkar maintained his sole lead 5.5/6 by winning against Tomas Andre (SVK). Round 7 for Masters, Challengers and Futures start today at 3 p.m. local time, 7:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Dr. Mark Livshitz/Prague International Chess Festival

5th Shenzhen Masters 2024 R4: Relentless Arjun Erigaisi conquers Qun, now World no.10

04/03/2024 -

Arjun Erigaisi scored his second win in-a-row in the fourth round of 5th Shenzhen Masters 2024. This win ensured that he breaks into World Top 10 for the first time in his career. His live rating is now 2754.6 which makes him World no.10. The game started with a knight sacrifice for two pawns against Qun Ma (CHN). The Chinese returned the piece and later sacrificed his queen for a rook and bishop. However, tenacious kept trying and eventually outplayed his opponent in the endgame. Xiangzhi Bu (CHN) handed Anish Giri (NED) his third consecutive loss. Thus, Xiangzhi and Arjun have joined Yangyi Yu (CHN) in the lead 3/4. Round 5 starts tomorrow at 2 p.m. local time, 11:30 a.m. IST. Photos: Organizer/Liang Ziming

FIDE Candidates 2024: Pairings announced

04/03/2024 -

FIDE Candidates and Women's Candidates 2024 is exactly a month away. The draw of lots for both Open and Women's event was held at a famous Toronto chess pub - Madison Avenue. As per the rule of Round-Robin events in World Championship cycle, same country players must face each other first. It means the first three rounds will witness Indian players clashing against each other in the Open, same for USA players in the first round. For Women, Indians and players representing FIDE must face each other in the first round. Check out the entire footage of the draw of lots captured by Asim Khan. Photo: FIDE

Ilamparthi wins Solving competition, Saravana second at Prague International Chess Festival 2024

04/03/2024 -

Prague International Chess Festival 2024 is truly a chess festival in every way one can fathom. There are not only tournaments in Masters, Challengers, Futures, Open, Rapid and Blitz conventional events but also Basque, Fischer Random, Pair Blitz, Bughouse and Solving competition. There is something for every type of chess enthusiast. On Wednesday 28th February 2024, F Solving competition took place. IM Ilamparthi A R won the event scoring 35 points. IM P Saravana Krishnan, IM Milan Petras (CZE) and Michael Schwartz (RSA) scored 33 points each to share second place. The special element about this event was all positions were curated by the legendary Grandmaster in Chess Composition - Yochanan Afek (ISR). Photos: Petr Vrabec/Prague International Chess Festival

Bharath Subramaniyam H clinches 37th Cannes Open 2024 with a 2661 performance

04/03/2024 -

GM Bharath Subramaniyam H won 37th Cannes Chess Open A (>2100) 2024 with an unbeaten 7.5/9. He finished a half point ahead of the rest to become a clear champion. Four players - IM Kazybek Nogerbek (KAZ), GM Di Li (CHN), IM Savva Vetokhin and IM Ilamparthi A R scored 7/9 each. They were placed second to fifth respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund for Open A was €6000. The top three prizes were €1800, €1200 and €700 along with a trophy each. This is the second rating tournament Bharath played in 2024 and he won it. Earlier, in February, he won a Rapid Rating tournament. GM K Sasikiran is the only other Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 6/9 to be placed tenth. Photo: GM ShyamSundar M

Five Indians in World Top 20 - FIDE Rating list March 2024

04/03/2024 -

FIDE publishes its rating list at the beginning of each month. March 2024 FIDE Rating list retains the same number of Indians in the World Top 20 - five. Vishy Anand's unbeaten 2/3 at Bundesliga moved him up to World no.10 from 12. Arjun Erigaisi's fantastic performance at Bundesliga West and Israel Nations League earned him 10 Elo rating points. He moved four places from World no.18 to 14. Arjun is followed closely by D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi from 15th to 17th place. All of them have the same rating 2747. Among the Women, GM Koneru Humpy dropped a couple of places as she lost 8.1 Elo rating points. She is now at World no.5 among Women. IM Divya Deshmukh maintained her place at World no.38. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

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